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I Dare You Podcast

I Dare You Podcast

Hosted by Darrin Johnson

Episodes

240

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN

About the show

Welcome to the I Dare You Podcast, a candid conversation with today's top entrepreneurs and business leaders about leading with more joy and purpose and living a meaningful life. This podcast is all about helping you break through and get after the life you desire. You'll be encouraged to live just outside your comfort zone and take the courageous next steps to become the person - and leader - you were meant to be.Leadership is an adventure, and the I Dare You Podcast will give you the inspirat

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60 recent
September 29, 202646 min

Episode 245: You Already Know What to Do: Making Big Decisions Without Perfect Certainty with Doug Wekenman

You’re not stuck because you don’t know what to do. You’re stuck because you’re terrified of getting it wrong. You keep waiting for certainty. A sign. A crystal-clear answer from God. But what if clarity comes after you move? Today, my special guest is Doug Wekenman, author of What Does God Have Planned for Me Next?: Experience All of It. Miss None of It. Doug is the Teaching Pastor at Red Rocks Church and leads the Austin location alongside his wife and best friends. Passionate about making faith come alive for people, Doug writes and teaches about trusting God and taking the next step in life with confidence, including What Does God Have Planned for Me Next? After 15 years of helping people navigate career changes, relationships, spiritual uncertainty, and major life decisions, Doug knows what keeps us frozen—and what helps us finally move forward. This conversation will challenge how you think about God’s plan, the pressure to make the “perfect” choice, and the fear that one wrong move could ruin your future. If you’re overthinking a decision or waiting for permission to act, you need this episode. As a special gift for I Dare You listeners, gain access to the FREE Atomic Habits Toolkit to help you put the principles in the episode into practice. Go to idareyoupod.com to grab your FREE toolkit. No catch. Connect with Doug: Website: dougwekenman.com ; redrocksaustin.com Instagram: instagram.com/dougwekenman Facebook: facebook.com/wekenman YouTube: Youtube.com/@RedRocksAustin Podcast: The Afterthoughts Podcast

September 22, 202623 min

Episode 244: Stop Waiting for January: Your 100-Day Head Start with Darrin Johnson

Happy New Year! Yes — right now. January is so overrated. In this solo episode of I Dare You , I’m challenging you to stop waiting for January 1 to start building the life you say you want. Because January doesn’t create your results. January reveals them. In this episode, I share why fall is better than the new year to reset, refocus, and get moving. While everyone else is waiting for a clean calendar, a fresh planner, or a burst of New Year motivation, you can use the final stretch of the year as your head start. This is delayed gratification in action: doing the work now so the results show up later. I’ll walk you through my simple 100-Day Head Start Framework so you can enter January with momentum, confidence, and proof. You’ll learn how to: Use the fresh start effect without waiting for the new year Pick your proof so you know exactly what you’re building Plan your reps so your goal becomes a system, not a wish Prove it to yourself through small promises kept over time Stay consistent when life interrupts — because it will This episode isn’t about making another resolution. It’s about becoming the kind of person who keeps promises to yourself when no one is watching. So here’s the dare: start now, stack the reps, and walk into January with proof. Happy New Year. Hit play, and let’s go. As a special gift for I Dare You listeners, gain access to the FREE Atomic Habits Toolkit to help you put the principles in the episode into practice. Go to idareyoupod.com to grab your FREE toolkit. No catch. Connect with Darrin Johnson: www.idareyoupod.com Instagram: @idareyoupod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IDareYouPod TikTok: @idareyoupod

September 15, 202644 min

Episode 243: AI Is Making You Busier, Not Better—Here’s the Fix with Roy Schwartz

If your calendar is packed, your inbox is overflowing, and you still end every day feeling behind, you need this episode. I’m thrilled to welcome Roy Schwartz , co-founder of Axios and Axios HQ, former Chief Revenue Officer at Politico, executive producer of the Emmy Award-winning Axios on HBO , and co-author of the bestseller Smart Brevity . His new book, Simplify: Do 50 Percent More with 50 Percent Less , offers a practical framework for overcoming “toxic complexity” and focusing on what matters most. AI promised to make work easier. Instead, it has created more meetings, content, decisions, and noise competing for our attention.The problem isn’t that we can’t do enough. It’s that we’re trying to do too much. The people who thrive in the AI era won’t be those who adopt the most tools. They’ll know what to eliminate—and what truly deserves their attention. You’ll learn: Why complexity keeps you overwhelmed How to eliminate unnecessary meetings and commitments Why Roy recommends “meeting bankruptcy” How ego keeps your calendar full How to use AI as your “chief simplicity officer” Why your strengths matter more than ever Press play—then choose one thing to confront, one thing to delete, and one thing to amplify. As a special gift for I Dare You listeners, gain access to the FREE Atomic Habits Toolkit to help you put the principles in the episode into practice. Go to idareyoupod.com to grab your FREE toolkit. No catch. Connect with Roy: Instagram:@axios LinknedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/royschwartz/

September 8, 202646 min

Episode 242: The 5 PM Trap: Why Healthy Eating Falls Apart—and How to Fix It with Cassy Joy Garcia

What if your 5:00 p.m. food spiral isn’t a discipline problem? What if you’re simply asking the most exhausted version of yourself to make one more decision? In this episode of I Dare You , my special guest is Cassy Joy Garcia , New York Times bestselling author of The Protein Meal Prep Plan, Cook Once Dinner Fix, Cook Once Eat All Week, and Fed & Fit —and the creative force behind the popular wellness platform Fed & Fit . Since launching Fed & Fit in 2011, Cassy has become a holistic nutrition consultant and built a trusted online resource supported by a team of writers, researchers, and editors. Her practical approach was born from a deeply personal realization: despite her expertise, she was struggling to get healthy, homemade dinners on the table—just like her readers. What helped her move forward wasn’t perfection, restriction, or another punishing plan. It was learning to play offense with her health through small, sustainable decisions. Now, her newest book, The Protein Meal Prep Plan , brings that philosophy to life with 30 weekly plans and 180 family-friendly recipes , each designed to deliver at least 35 grams of protein per serving. It’s a realistic system for preparing nutritious food before exhaustion and decision fatigue take over. In this conversation, you’ll learn: Why you may need more protein than you think How to avoid the end-of-day takeout spiral Why protein and fiber work better together How one prep session can create three completely different dinners Why strength training isn’t reserved for “gym people” How to make healthy choices easier before life gets chaotic The small morning habit that can become the first domino in transforming your health But this episode is about far more than food. It’s about your energy. Your future. And deciding that your family, your leadership, your dreams, and your life deserve a well-fueled version of you. If you’ve been telling yourself, “I’ll take care of myself when life calms down,” press play. As a special gift for I Dare You listeners, gain access to the FREE Atomic Habits Toolkit to help you put the principles in the episode into practice. Go to idareyoupod.com to grab your FREE toolkit. No catch. Connect with Cassy Joy Garcia: www.fedandfit.com Instagram: @fedandfit Youtube: @fedandFit TikTok: @fedandfit

September 1, 202622 min

Episode 241: The Longevity Lie: Why Healthspan & Bio-Optimization Aren’t Enough with Darrin Johnson

Stop living your life on a dimmer switch. In this episode of I Dare You , I’m calling out the trap that catches so many of us in midlife: having a full calendar, but feeling completely flat inside. While the wellness world obsesses over lifespan (how long you live) and healthspan (how long your body works), I share why the missing metric we’re all starving for is SOULSPAN —the years you refuse to disappear. You didn’t come this far to become the CEO of Maintenance. In this episode, we get into: The Dimmer Switch Trap: Why midlife numbness is a slow dial-down, not a blown fuse The Waiting Room Syndrome: Breaking the lie of waiting for life to "slow down" The 4 Markers of Soulspan: Vitality, Courage, Belonging, and Anticipation The 12-Word Text: The exact zero-friction script to revive a drifting friendship today The 30-Second Calendar Dare: Putting proof of aliveness back on your schedule And as a special gift for I Dare You listeners, get access to the FREE Atomic Habits Toolkit to help you put the principles in the episode into practice. Go to idareyoupod.com to grab your FREE toolkit. No catch. Connect with Darrin Johnson: www.idareyoupod.com Instagram: @idareyoupod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IDareYouPod TikTok: @idareyoupod

August 25, 202641 min

Episode 240: Why 97% of Feedback Fails (And How Superteams Actually Work) with Dr. Ron Friedman

Stop letting broken workplace rules hijack your day. In this episode of I Dare You , I’m joined by award-winning psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Ron Friedman to tear down the myths keeping you and your team stuck in survival mode. Backed by the largest study of high-performing teams ever conducted in his new bestselling book, Superteams: The Science and Secrets of High-Performing Teams , Dr. Friedman breaks down the exact, research-backed moves you need right now to take back control of your time, build fierce peer accountability, and unlock your real potential. In this episode, we get into: The Anatomy of a Superteam The Toxic Meeting Trap (and Attention Residue) The Uncomfortable Question Every Real Leader Asks Why 97% of Traditional Feedback Fails The Secret Cognitive Power of Movement Ron’s Simple, High-Impact I Dare You Experiment Challenge About Dr. Ron Friedman: Ron Friedman, PhD, is an award-winning psychologist, founder of Superteams, Inc., and bestselling author of The Best Place to Work , Decoding Greatness , and Superteams: The Science and Secrets of High-Performing Teams . An expert on human motivation and peak performance, Dr. Friedman has served on the faculties of the University of Rochester, Nazareth College, and Hobart and William Smith Colleges. He contributes regularly to Harvard Business Review —where his article “How to Build a Superteam That Keeps Getting Better” was a recent cover story—and his work has also been featured in The New York Times , Forbes , Bloomberg , Fast Company , and The Wall Street Journal . 🔗 Connect with Dr. Ron Friedman & Get the Book: Website: ronfriedmanphd.com Workshops & Keynotes: superteamsinc.com Book: Superteams: The Science and Secrets of High-Performing Teams (includes free masterclass and discussion guide) Follow Ron: LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads, and YouTube (@ronfriedmanphd) | X (@ronfriedman)

August 18, 202620 min

Episode 239: Why You Keep Shrinking To Belong with Darrin Johnson

Why growth feels lonely — and why you can’t keep shrinking to belong. What if the people closest to you love you deeply… but still struggle when you start to change? In this episode of I Dare You , Darrin Johnson explores one of the most uncomfortable truths about growth: becoming a better version of yourself can disrupt the relationships, routines, and rooms that were built around the old you. Whether you’re stepping into a new school year, building a business, changing your habits, chasing a bigger goal, or simply realizing you don’t fit where you used to, this episode will help you understand why growth can feel lonely — and why that doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. Darrin breaks down the “thermostat” effect in relationships, the fear of outgrowing your circle, and the belonging gap that often shows up between who you were and who you’re becoming. If you’ve ever downplayed your dreams, hidden your wins, or felt guilty for wanting more, this episode is your reminder: You are allowed to grow. You are allowed to change. And you are allowed to stop shrinking so other people can stay comfortable. This week’s dare will challenge you to share one win at full volume — and pay attention to who opens the windows. And as a special gift for I Dare You listeners, get access to the FREE Atomic Habits Toolkit , beautifully designed by Dani Saveker, to help you put the principles in the episode into practice. Go to idareyoupod.com to grab your FREE toolkit. No catch. Connect with Darrin Johnson: www.idareyoupod.com Instagram: @idareyoupod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IDareYouPod TikTok: @idareyoupod

August 11, 202627 min

Episode 238: Stop Trying to Be Interesting — Be Interested Instead with Darrin Johnson

What if the secret to being unforgettable isn’t being more impressive — but making other people feel more seen? In this episode of I Dare You , I’m sharing a simple, practical framework I call The Connection Code — five habits that will help you build stronger connection in every conversation: at home, at work, with your team, with your friends, and even with people you just met. Because connection is not charisma. It’s a skill. And you can practice it in the very next conversation you have. In this episode, I’ll show you how to ask better questions, listen with full attention, follow up in a way that builds trust, and use small moments to make people feel seen, valued, and remembered. You’ll learn: Why every conversation is an opportunity to build trust How to stop trying to be interesting and start becoming more interested The simple “second question” that opens the door to deeper connection Why full attention is one of the clearest ways to communicate value How better questions move conversations from facts to feelings to meaning The 10-second habit I use to help people feel remembered Why using someone’s name is one of the simplest ways to make them feel seen A 7-day challenge to practice connection in real life If you’ve been craving deeper connection — at home, at work, with your team, or with the people you love — hit play. I’m going to show you how small shifts in the way you listen, ask, remember, and respond can change the way people experience you. And as a special gift for I Dare You listeners, get access to the FREE Atomic Habits Toolkit , beautifully designed by Dani Saveker, to help you put the principles in the episode into practice. Go to idareyoupod.com to grab your FREE toolkit. No catch. Connect with Darrin Johnson: www.idareyoupod.com Instagram: @idareyoupod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IDareYouPod TikTok: @idareyoupod

August 4, 202621 min

Episode 237: Do the Hard Thing Now & Make Life Easier Later with Darrin Johnson

In this solo episode of I Dare You, I’m breaking down one of the most powerful paradoxes for building the life you say you want: The disciplined life is an easier life. And the right sacrifices create more freedom. This episode is not about suffering for the sake of suffering. It’s about choosing what matters most over what feels good right now. If you feel like you’re working hard but not moving forward — or you keep telling yourself, “I’ll start when life slows down” — this episode is for you. Because life isn’t slowing down. In this episode, I’ll walk you through the three powerful forces that pull you off track: comfort, ego, and cravings. You’ll learn how to stop negotiating with yourself, do the hard thing early, protect your time and attention, and build momentum through small disciplined actions that compound over time. This is a practical, energizing episode designed to help you stop waiting, stop delaying, and start living with more discipline, confidence, joy, and purpose. And as a special gift for I Dare You listeners, get access to the FREE Atomic Habits Toolkit, beautifully designed by Dani Saveker, to help you put the principles in the episode into practice. Go to idareyoupod.com to grab your FREE toolkit. No catch. Connect with Darrin Johnson: www.idareyoupod.com Instagram: @idareyoupod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IDareYouPod TikTok: @idareyoupod

July 28, 202635 min

Episode 236: If You’re Starting Over, Listen to This with Hannah Johnson

What do you do when life doesn’t go according to plan? In this deeply personal episode of I Dare You , I sit down with my daughter, Hannah Johnson — the first-ever third-time guest on the podcast — for an honest conversation about starting over after painful change. Recorded outside on the shore of a Minnesota lake during a family vacation, this unscripted conversation explores divorce, grief, relocation, career change, comparison, financial independence, faith, and the courage it takes to rebuild a life on your terms. Hannah’s previous episodes are among the most listened-to conversations we’ve released, but this one is different. It’s raw, real, and full of hard-earned wisdom for anyone navigating a reset they didn’t ask for. If you’re walking through change — or know someone who is — this episode is a reminder that your story is not over, and starting over may be one of the bravest things you ever do. Plus, I Dare You listeners get free access to the Atomic Habits-inspired Toolkit , created to help you reset, refocus, and build habits that move you toward the life you actually want. Get your free Atomic Habits Toolkit at idareyoupod.com . Connect with Hannah: Instagram: @hannahrenaejohnson Instagram: @bakingwithhannahrenae

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